BEST Sustainable Tourism

1. 7/13/2012 1 BEST Sustainable Tourism  Planning Larry Dwyer, University of New South Wales Deborah Edwards, University of Western Sydney

2. 7/13/2012 2 Purpose of Module Tourism Planning requires an understanding of the meaning of sustainable development and the guiding values for promoting sustainable tourism The aim of this module is to introduce, discuss and analyse the main elements of planning to promote sustainable tourism

3. 7/13/2012 3 Purpose of Module Emphasize 5 key areas critical role that the community plays in achieving sustainable economic development through tourism importance of leadership and skills training programs role of different stakeholders in strategy implementation importance of evaluating performance in achieving sustainable practice in tourism planning addressing future challenges and issues associated with how tourism planning can contribute to the achievement of sustainable tourism

4. 7/13/2012 4 Learning Objectives To: Understand the meaning of Sustainable Tourism Development and underlying economic, social, cultural and environmental values. Understand the nature of a sustainability approach to Tourism Planning and the essential role of the community in tourism planning. Discuss and classify the positive and negative impacts of tourism development. Understand the interrelations between the characteristics of destination, types of development, types of tourists, and tourism impacts.

5. 7/13/2012 5 Learning Objectives (cont) Identify Economic, Social and Environmental Impact Assessment Techniques and their application to Sustainable Tourism Planning. Identify stakeholders involved in the planning process Understand processes that integrate and engage stakeholders in participatory planning and consensus building. Understand the role of stakeholders in strategy implementation including industry, government and community. Understand the importance of evaluating progress and monitoring tourism development to achieve sustainable practice in tourism planning.

6. 7/13/2012 6 The Principles of Sustainable Tourism Development �Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It is envisaged as leading to the management of all resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems� (WTO 1995)

7. 7/13/2012 7 Sustainable Development for Business Sustainable development for business means �adopting business strategies and activities that meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today while protecting, sustaining, and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future� (International Institute for Sustainable Development 1994: 4). Sustainable business has interdependent economic, environmental, and social objectives Long-term viability depends on integrating all three objectives in decision-making

8. 7/13/2012 8 Guiding Principles of Sustainable Tourism Development Responsibility Commitment and leadership Cooperation Education Social Creativity Freedom

9. 7/13/2012 9 Responsibility The tourism industry shares with local residents, governments and all people the obligation to protect and maintain the natural and cultural heritage resources of our planet, which are required both to sustain economies and to be passed on unimpaired to future generations. Recognition of the importance of the continuity of natural resources and the continuity of culture and the balances within culture (Wall 1993); �Think globally, act locally�.

10. 7/13/2012 10 Commitment and Leadership Destinations require strong, committed, and effective leadership by business, government and community leaders at all levels. A pro-active role is required to ensure that natural and heritage values are fully sustained.

11. 7/13/2012 11 Cooperation The planning process requires an understanding of the need for cooperation and possible compromise among all stakeholders Key Stakeholders include: local business Government Community visitors

12. 7/13/2012 12 Education Sustainable tourism development involves the establishment of education and training programs to improve public understanding and enhance business and professional skills. The tourism industry in any region depends on a stable pool of skilled employees who can progress in their careers to higher levels of employment. Businesses and communities must work together to inform, educate, and inspire appreciation for our natural and cultural heritage, and its protection through responsible conduct.

13. 7/13/2012 13 Social Creativity and Freedom Sustainable tourism is best achieved by a community sharing a vision for its economic, physical and social character. A balance is required between economic, environmental, and social imperatives.

14. 7/13/2012 14 1. Identification There is a growing recognition that tourism development can lead to positive and negative economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts. Some of these practices threaten the sustainability destinations.

15. 7/13/2012 15 Impacts of Tourism Development Four Types of Impacts Economic Environmental Social Cultural Impacts will vary in type, location, and significance.

16. 7/13/2012 16 Economic Impacts: Positive Positive impacts may include: increased - income, employment, foreign exchange earnings, taxation receipts, business development, governments� tax base, expands an economy�s export base, catalyst for economic development, assists in the development of remote areas.

17. 7/13/2012 17 Economic Impacts: Negative Negative impacts may include : increased - prices, cost of living/property taxes demands on public services and facilities, economic dependency on one industry

18. 7/13/2012 18 Environmental Impacts: Positive Positive impacts may include: conservation and preservation of natural resources, community revitalization and beautification, revenues for establishing administrative and planning controls to maintain quality of environment.

19. 7/13/2012 19 Environmental Impacts: Positive Negative impacts may include: Effects of pollution (air, water, noise, littering), loss of natural habitat including agricultural and pastoral lands; destruction of flora and fauna, vandalism; degradation of landscape and of historic sites and monuments; effects of congestion including crowding; effects of conflicts over land Use; effects of competition for scarce resources (fresh water, energy)

20. 7/13/2012 20 Social Impacts Positive Removal of social or national prejudices; Promotion of better understanding and positive social change; Civic involvement and local pride in a destination; A supportive force for peace; Pride in cultural traditions; Avoiding urban relocation by creating local jobs; Improve quality of life of locals; Increase availability of recreation facilities.

21. 7/13/2012 21 Social Impacts: Negative Drug taking, prostitution and crime; Create a hectic community and lifestyle; Introducing an immigrant workforce with attendant social problems; Competition and conflict between tourists and residents for available services, facilities, and recreational opportunities.

22. 7/13/2012 22 Cultural Impacts Positive Intercultural understanding and global communication; Improved understanding and image of different communities and cultures; Cultural exchange; Facilitates meeting visitors (an educational experience); Preservation of cultural identity of host population.

23. 7/13/2012 23 Cultural Impacts Negative Change or loss of local identity and values; Loss of traditional crafts and skills; �commodification� of culture; Commercialization of traditional cultural events, arts and crafts; Loss of authenticity; Leads to cultural deterioration.

24. 7/13/2012 24 Factors that influence Impacts Factors that determine the nature and extent of tourism-related impacts on a destination: Factors relating to the characteristics of the destination Factors relating to the characteristics of tourists Factors relating to the type of tourism development.

25. 7/13/2012 25 Characteristics of the destination Environmental and Heritage Features of the Area Stage of Economic Development of Area Social and Cultural Characteristics Attitudes of Resident Population Carrying Capacity Physical Social

26. 7/13/2012 26 Characteristics of Tourists Number of tourists and length of stay Relative Economic Status of Residents and Tourists Yield Visibility and activities of tourists

27. 7/13/2012 27 Characteristics of Tourism Development Size and Spatial Characteristics of Tourist Developments Type of Tourism Products Degree of local involvement in ownership and operation of tourism facilities

28. 7/13/2012 28 A Tourism Sustainability Index Impacts and associated indicators can form the basis of a Tourism Sustainability Index (Marsh 1993) that can serve as: a classification schema for understanding tourism�s impacts a basis for projecting the impacts from particular tourism development a basis for impact assessment a basis for mitigating projected adverse effects of tourism development a basis for monitoring the impacts of tourism development.

29. 7/13/2012 29 A Sustainability Approach The expected outcome from tourism planning is tourism development that: Is sensitive to environmental, social, and cultural attributes of the destination Provides quality tourism and leisure experiences valued by visitors and residents Is valued by business, government and the community

30. 7/13/2012 30 2. Formulation In order to protect ecosystems and economic benefits and to distribute the latter equitably, tourism must be developed and managed. Tourism planning takes place on many levels: site, destination, region, national, international. Planning is carried out by different agencies, organisations, and businesses for different purposes and at different scales, possibly with the aid of external consultants. Planning is informed by supply and demand

31. 7/13/2012 31